Divided last.



H. A. BALLARD.

DIVIDED LAST.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 190s.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

H. A. BALLARD.

DIVIDED LAST.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, .1908,

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

`ITED i PATENT, OFFIUE;

HARRIE A. BALLARD, or BoSToN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASsIerNoiiv To THE BoYLSToN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORA- TION OF NEW JERSEY.

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HAnnin A. BALLARD,`

of Boston, inthe county of Suffolk.. and State ot' Massachusetts, have invented cer-- tain new and useful Improvements 1in `Divided Lasts, of which the following` is a specification.

This invention hasrelationto lasts suoli as i are employed in `connection with the manufacture of boots and shoes.

The object of the inventionis to provide and I have shown how it `maybe utilized in connection `with a tree so that it maybe employed practically throughout the proc-` ess of nianut'acturinga shoe.

Figure l illustrates a `tree foot with my last thereto attached. F ig.` 2 represents a similar view, and shows the last shortened :trom end to end by moving one of the parts thereof transversely with reference to the other. Fig. 3 represents a sectionon line 3MB oi Fig.` 1. Fig. 4l. represents a longitudinal f.section through the last, and also :illustrates the tree leg member which movesl the locking device in position to free the` two parts of the last. Fig. 5 is a similar section through the last, and shows the `forepart` and heel part in position to permit the Lentrance of the last into a shoe or its withdrawal therefrom. Fig. 6 represents an eni larged section on the line 6 6 oi' F ig.` 5;

Fig. 7 illustrates the lower endoi' the tree leg in Section. i i I The last is illustratedas being made ot a. single block which is sawed oi' divided `by a `tiansverse cut into two sections indicated at a and b. rlheiplane `oi intersection be-1 tween the two partsiis inclined or oblique from the top of the` last rearwardly toward t the heel end, so that, when one of the parts or sections is moved `transversely relatively to the other part, the last, as a whole, will be shortened from end to end so that it may be easily inserted into `or removed from a` Shoe. The two confronting faces .of` the DIVIDED LAST.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV, 24, 1914. Application inea May 4, 190s.

Serial No. 430,890. i i

torepartb and the heel part a of the last are formed with alined slots or grooves indicated at a b, which extend from the top to'the bottom of said parts; and placed in said grooves is a connection `consisting of a web or flat plate 0 which has a sliding lit therein without anyappreciable lost lateral motion. This plate is formed or provided with four slots longitudinally of its length,

these slots being indicated at o, c2, c and o4@ lhe slots are all parallel `to the confronting or abutting faces of the forepart and` heel part, and the slots c and o" maybe in alinement with those at c? c respectively, as shown in the drawings, though this isnot essential.

`Passed transversely through the forepart aretwo pins or fasteners l d which extend through the` slots c c2, there being passed through the heel part two similar pins ori` fastenings` Z2 (Z3, which` pass through the slots c3 o. These pins orifasteneis are so located that, whenthe heel part and forepart are in theiri normal positions, `as

shownin Fig. 1i, the pins Z d will be seated against the upper ends ofthe slots c and c2,

and the pins cl2 d will be seated against the lower end walls of the slots 0920*. By reason of this construction, it willbe apparent that there is possible a relative movement betweenthe plate ci. and the forepart b, and between the plate c land the heel part a, in

consequence of which, there is a relative` movement of the heel part and forepart to a distance substantially twice the length of the slots c and o3 or ci" and cfless the thickness ot' two ot thepieces, as shown in Fig.`

11. 'lhenpins ,d, cl2, lavare in sliding enf.` gagement with the web orplate and theyl constitute means projecting laterally ,t1-omg i the said web `or plate for preventing the longitudinal separation oi' the forepart and heel part. i

I provide` for locking each of the two parts a and b to the plate c, and to this end I employ a lock `which `is indicated at e.;` This consists fot an elongated metallic plate.`

which is located in a groove or recess c in one `tace of the plate c. The lock e is fulcriinied upona pivot f, passed into the plate c, and it is formed or provided with two shoulders e` @2 on opposite sides of the pivot which may be engagedwith thepins ori` fasteners dds respectively, as shown in` Fig.;

4f. The lock isheld yieldingly in this position by a spring g, and it may be moved into the position shown in Fig. so as to release the plate from the pins and permit a relative movement of the two parts a andv b and the plate c. When the forepart and heel part are brought into alineinent or into their normal positions, the lock is moved automatically by the spring into its active position, where its faces or shoulders e e2 engage the pins cl3 and al, so that the forepart is locked rigidly against transverse movement relatively to the heel part, the plate being locked relatively to each of said parts. The provision of the four pins in connection with the plate, makes a strong, stillA last that is not liable to get broken; and by permitting relative movement of the plate, the forepart and the heel part, a greater amount of movement of one of the said parts relatively to the other' is secured than if the plate were rigidly secured to one of said parts. The lower end of the plate conforms to the curvature of the bottom or shank of the last, but a portion of its upper end projects beyond the last, the latter being cut away, as at 7i, to eXpose a pin orprojection e3 on the lock. The pin or projection c3 permits one to engage the lock and move it into inactive position, as shown in Fig. 5.

rlhe top of the heel part is illustrated as flat and as being covered with a plate 'i which may be of leather or other suitable material, leather being preferably used when the last is to be employed in connection with a tree leg. In the vheel part is formed the usual spindle socket jfor receiv ing a spindle on the tree leg.

I have illustrated a convenient form of tree leg with which the last may be employed. As shown in Figs. l, 2 and. 3, the leg is formed of two sections 7c which are secured together in any convenient way. Between them is a hollow chamber k2, see Fig. 7, in which is located a lock-operating device m. This device consists of a flat curved metallic slide having slots fm', through which pass pins m2 which hold it in place, and which guide its movement. The lower end of the slide has an inclined edge m3 which may engagethe projection e3 on the lock and swing the lock about its pivot when the said lock-operating device is forced downwardly. The first downward movement of the 'slide unlocks the portions of the last, and during its continued downward movement, the end of the said slide engages the forepart of the last and forces it to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The slide m is operated by a lever a, the lower end of which is partially circular and which is seated in a complemental socket m4 in said strip. The upper end of the `lever a has a handle a2 by which it may `be manipulated. It likewise has an elongated slot n3 through which passes a pin a inserted transversely into the tree leg k.

I do not wish to be'understood that the lever n and slide m are the only devices which may be utilized to unlock the sections of the last and to move the forepart to an inactive position since any other equivalent mechanism could be utilized for the same purpose. The mechanism which I have illustrated, however, is simple and serves the purpose.

The treeleg is provided with a cylindrif cal spindle 0 which enters the spindle socket in the heel part of thelast. For the purpose of locking the heel part to the spindle, I utilize a rod p, the lower' end of which is wedge-shaped-as at p, so that, when the rod is drawn longitudinally of the leg by any usual or convenient means, the wedge will slide along the inclined face o of the spindle and bind the heel part to the spindle.

Having thus explained the nature of my said invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made or all of the modes of its use, I declare that what I claim is l. A two-part divided last Vcomprising two sections. having obliquely inclined'confronting faces, one of said sections being movable with respect to the other in a plane parallel to said faces, and a connecting plate slidingly connected to each of said sections to move relatively thereto in lines substantially parallel to the face thereof.

2. A divided last comprising a heel part and a forepart having obliquely-inclined confronting faces, one of said parts being bodily movable relatively to the other in a plane parallel to said faces, said parts having opposing recesses, a connecting member located in said recesses and slidingly connected to each of said parts to move rel atively thereto in lines substantially parallel to the face thereof, and means for locking said heel part and forepart against theirrelative movement.

8. A divided last comprising but two sections, to wit, a forepart and a heel part having confronting oblique faces, a member i for connecting said parts to hold them against relative movements lengthwise of the last, and means for slidinglyv connectying said member with each of said parts to move relatively thereto in lines parallel to its face.

t. A divided last comprising two sections having confronting faces, one of'said sections being bodily movable relatively to the other in a plane substantially parallel to said faces, and said faces having recesses, and movable relatively to each section in said parts thereto.

fronting faces, al connecting member slid# ingly extending 'into the said recesses, and

means `extending ,laterally from said mem-` ber into engagement withsaid sections for preventing longitudinal `separation of said` sections. i i

5. `A divided last comprising two sections of which one is bodily movable at an inclination to the` other in. lines parallel to their planeof division, said sections having longitudinal grooves, aimember arranged in said grooves, and a pin and slot connection between said member and each of said seci tions to permit relative movementthereof, said slots being substantially parallel to said` plane of relative movement of said sections. i `6. A dividedklast comprisingtwo sections of `which oneis bodily movable at an inclination `to the otherin linesiparallel to their planepof division, said sections having longitudinal grooves, a member arranged inl said grooves, a pin and slot connection between said member and eachyof said sections to permit` relative movement thereof, said slots ,being substantially parallel to said plane of relative movement of said sections and` means for lockingsaid member to each of said sections to hold them `against relative movement.` i i A `divided last comprising a heel part and a forepart having `inclined confronting faces and longitudinal recesses, a connecting member slidingly seated in recesses `in said faces, means for "connecting said parts to said member to permit a limited rectilinear sliding motion` of said member relatively toboth said parts in lines substantially parallel toisaid faces, and a lock earried` by said memberforlocking each of S. A divided last comprising aheel part and a forepart having longitudinal grooves or recesses, a transverse pin in each of said parts, a longitudinally arranged zmember sliding-ly seated in said grooves `or recesses 1n the said parts, said member having slots parallel to the respective faces of the heel part and forepart to receive said pins, in consequence of which said member has 1a limited movement relatively to each of said parts, and means for `locking said member to said pins. i

"9. A divided last comprisingaheel part and a forepart having longitudinal `grooves or recesses, a transverse pin` in each of said parts, a longitudinally arrangedplate slidingly seated in said grooves or recesses in the said parts, said plate having slots to receive said pins, in consequence of which said plate has a limited movement relativelyito each of said parts, and a lock pivotedon said plate and having shoulders for engag` anda4 forepart, having;longitudinal rccesses` intheir confronting; faces, a plate located in saidirecesses, and havingl slots substantially.parallelto the said faces, and two pins in each ofisaid parts passing throughslots in said iplate, all so arranged that said forepartsaid heel part and said plate :are capable` ofa limited` movement relatively to each otlieixwy.A

ll. A divided last comprising a forepart and a heel part havingfaces obliquely inclined` `fromithe top of the last toward the heel end andrelatively `movable in lines `par.- allel to Saidfaces, a plate seated in recesses in said faces, means for connecting` said plate to one of saidt parts, alpin and slot connection betweensaidi plate and the other of` said parts, and a pivoted locking `device carried zxbysaid plate `for locking said last-i mentioned part against movement relatively to said plate. i i i 12.,'lhecombination with a divided last comprising two relatively slidable` sections,1 of which the heel part has aspindle socket,

a slide connection between said sections `for permitting a bodily movement of said sec- 13. The combination with a divided last comprising a heel part and a forepart having obliquely inclined confronting faces, a connection which inseparably connects said sections slidinglyitogether and a lock for holding said sections against relativemovement,of a tree legconstructed and arranged for coperationwitli said dividedlast comprising a spindle for engagement with the heel part, a slide arranged to move said lock to inactive position and to move the forepart relatively to the heel part to permit the removal of a shoe, and means by which said slide may be operated.

Ll.` A `divided, last comprising two sections having obliquely inclined confronting faces, one of saidsections being movable in aplane parallel to said faces and a connecting device to slide relatively thereto substantially` parallel to the face thereof slid` ingly engaged witlieach of said sections for permitting said described movement but holding said sections against longitudinal separation.

15. `A Idivindcdlast comprising a heel partl and a fore part having confronting faces, one of saidparts beinginovable bodily relatively to the other in a plane parallel to said faces and both of said parts having alined recesses, and a connecting device extending into each of said recesses and arranged `to slide therein in lines parallel to said faces, means for preventin-gthe longitudinal sep-v aration of the said orepart and heel part, and means for lockingsaid heel part and said fore part together.

16. In a divided last, heel and toe portions provided respectively with internal parallel key-Ways; and a sliding connecting member or key extending from lone portion to the other and lslidingly engaged in each of said key-Ways. j

1'7. In a last, a heel part anda toe part slidingon each other to lengthen and to shorten the last, and having avertical groove in the meeting 'ace of one part; a plate connected to the second part and projecting into said groove, and having aslot parallel With said meeting face; a cross-pin in the first part passing through the slot; and a tilting dog carried bythe plate, and arranged to engage the pin to lock it in the end of the slot to hold the tivo last parts in the lengthenedposition. p

18. In a last, a heel part. and a toe part sliding on each other tolengthen and to shorten the last, and having a vertical groove in the meetin'gface of one part; a plate connected to the second part and projecting into said groove, and havinga slot` parallel With said meeting face and a recess adjacent to and connecting Withv the slot; a cross-pin in the irst part passing through the slot; and a tilting dog held in said recess, and arranged to engage the pin to lock it in the end of the slot to hold the last parts in the lengthened position.

19. In a last, a heel part and a toe part sliding on each other to lengthen and shorten the last, and having a vertical groove in the meeting face of one part; a plate connected to the second part and projecting into said groove, and having a slot parallel With said lmeeting face; a cross-pin in the lirst part passing through the slot; and a tilting dog carried by the plate, and arranged to engage the pin to lock it in the end of the slot to hold the last parts in the lengthened position, said dog having a lateral projection arranged tofbe engaged to tilt the dog and unlock the parts.

20. A divided last comprising a heel part and a orepart, one of said parts having a vertical groove in its confronting face, and a pin extending across said groove, a plate connected to the other last part and projecting into said groove, said plate having a slot parallel to said confronting face for the reception oi' said pin, and a member movably mounted on said plate for engaging said pin misses.

to lock said plate f With relation to said grooved part. f

21. A divided last comprising a heel part and a forepart, a plate connected to and projecting from one of said parts into the other, said othervpart having a groove for relative sliding movement of said plate, said plate having a slot Within said grooved part, a transverse member lin said groovedpart, and extending across the groove therein and through the slot in said plate, anda locking member carried by saidplate for engaging said transverse member to lock it in one end of the slot, said locking member being ijetractible for releasing said transverse member. Y

22. A divided last comprising a heel part vand a forepart, a plate connected to and projecting from one of said parts into "the other, said other part having a groove for relative sliding movement of said' plate, said plate having a slot Within said grooved part,

a transverse member in said grooved part,

and extending across the groove therein and through the slot in said plate, and a locking member carried by vsaid plate and mounted tol tilt thereon, said locking member being arranged to engage said transverse member to lock it in one end of said slot.

23. A divided last comprising a heel part and a forepart, a plate connected 4to and projecting from one of said parts into the other, said other part having a groove for relative sliding vmovement of said plate, said plate having a slot Within said grooved part, a transverse member in said grooved part,l and extending across the groove therein and through the slot in said plate, and a springpressed lockingl member carried by said plate, and arranged normally to lock said transverse member in one end of said slot.

2i. A divided last comprising two sections, a plate slidingly connected to each of said sections, and a movable lock on said platel for locking said platefto each of said sections.

y A divided last comprising tivo sections, a plate slidingly connected to each of said sections, and a movable lock on said plate for locking said plate to each of said sections, said lock having a portion projecting above the top of the lastl by Which itmay be operated. j

In testimony `whereof I have ailiXed my signature, in presence of two Witnesses;

Y Y IIAItB-IE A. BALLARD.

1lllitnesses z I). W. PEZZETTI,

WALTER I). ABELL.

Copies of this patent may 'nel obtained `for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D', C. 

